Pirates delay Dodger’s clincher

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Right fielder Andre Ethier misplayed Lastings Milledge’s two-run single for an error that allowed the winning run to score, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for four in the ninth inning to beat the Dodgers 6-5 and prevent Los Angeles from clinching the NL West title Sunday.

The Dodgers went ahead 5-2 by scoring three runs in the top of the ninth against Matt Capps (4-8), only to let the Pirates stage their best rally of a dismal season in which they are four losses from losing 100 games.

Los Angeles went into the game with a magic number of two for clinching the division crown, but it essentially was one because the Rockies would lose any tiebreaker with the Dodgers.

Manager Joe Torre said the Dodgers would celebrate as champions if they won, regardless of what happened in the Cardinals-Rockies game later in the day.

Instead, the Pirates pulled off an improbable rally to win for only the fifth time in 29 games.

Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton (7-2) gave up singles to pinch-hitters Delwyn Young and Brandon Moss before Andrew McCutchen grounded into a force out. Andy LaRoche’s single scored Young, making it 5-3, and McCutchen moved to third on the play when shortstop Rafael Furcal threw wildly for an error.

After Garrett Jones was intentionally walked for the third time, Milledge — who stranded five runners while going hitless in his first four at-bats — lined a two-run single into right field to tie it. Jones kept running on the play and scored when the ball went under Ethier’s glove and rolled to the wall.

Los Angeles went into the seventh trailing Pirates rookie Daniel McCutchen 2-1, but shortstop Luis Cruz fumbled a potential double-play grounder by pinch-hitter Jim Thome and settled for getting one out as James Loney scored the tying run.

The Pirates brought in their closer, Capps, to pitch the ninth, but he immediately gave up singles to Loney, Ronnie Belliard and Russell Martin to put the Dodgers ahead.

After Orlando Hudson bunted the runners up and pinch-hitter Manny Ramirez was intentionally walked, second baseman Brian Bixler threw late to the plate trying to get pinch-runner Juan Castro on Furcal’s grounder. Robinzon Diaz’s passed ball allowed the third run of the inning to score.

The lead didn’t stand up as Broxton blew his sixth save in 42 opportunities.

Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw made his first start since Sept. 4 but left trailing 2-1 after four innings.